Resolving PKZIP 'Evaluation License Has Expired' Prompts During PCS 7 Project Archiving

In SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0 and STEP 7 V5.5, encountering a prompt stating that the 'PKZIP evaluation license has expired' when attempting to archive a project occurs because the bundled PKWARE compression engine has lost its OEM registration key or an unbundled trial version of PKZIP was installed. Siemens integrates an OEM-licensed version of PKZIP within the STEP 7 engineering software, requiring no separate user license in Automation License Manager. To resolve this, retrieve the official Siemens PKWARE OEM license key embedded inside pkware.ssf on the STEP 7 installation DVD (under 09_STEP7__V5.5\Pkware), execute the license registration via command line, or repair the STEP 7 PKWARE integration.

PKZIP Integration in SIMATIC STEP 7 and PCS 7

The SIMATIC Manager Archive utility (File -> Archive) relies on an underlying commercial command-line compression engine to package project folders, database files, and libraries into compressed .zip and .pkz files. In STEP 7 V5.5 and SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0, Siemens OEM-licenses PKWARE PKZIP for Windows (pkzipc.exe and associated DLLs).

Unlike standard PCS 7 engineering options that utilize floating license keys managed by the Automation License Manager (ALM), PKZIP is an embedded third-party software component. Siemens pre-licenses this component for all legitimate STEP 7 installations by injecting an enterprise OEM license string into the Windows registry during setup. Under normal operating conditions, the user is never prompted for a PKZIP license number or serial key during archiving.

Root Causes of PKZIP Evaluation License Expiration Warnings

When SIMATIC Manager displays the popup: 'The PKZIP evaluation license has expired. Do you want to enter the license number?', technical analysis reveals three root failure modes:

Installation of Standalone Evaluation PKWARE Software: If an engineer downloads a commercial evaluation or trial version of PKZIP directly from the PKWARE website and installs it on the engineering station, the trial installer overwrites the Siemens OEM registry keys. When the 30-day evaluation period expires, pkzipc.exe halts all executions called by STEP 7.
Registry Key Corruption or System Cleaners: Aggressive registry cleaners or incomplete Windows user profile resets can purge the PKWARE licensing hive located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PKWARE\PKZIP (or WOW6432Node on 64-bit systems). Without this key, PKZIP defaults to evaluation mode and counts down to expiration.
Temporary Trial License Conflicts in ALM: While PKZIP does not use ALM directly, running PCS 7 under temporary 14-day Trial Licenses can trigger registry cleanup scripts that revert OEM software configurations upon trial expiration.

Archiving Component Architecture and License Key Locations

The following table summarizes archiving engine files, license key storage locations, and registration commands:

Component / FileFile Path / LocationRole in PCS 7 ArchivingRemediation Detailpkware.ssfDVD:\09_STEP7__V5.5\Pkware\pkware.ssfSetup configuration containing OEM license keyContains LICENSE_KEY=xxxx... stringpkzipc.exeC:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\Step7\S7BIN\Command-line compression binaryExecutes .zip and .pkz archivings7pkzipx.dllCommon Files\Siemens\bin\STEP 7 COM interface wrapper for PKZIPConnects SIMATIC Manager to archiverRegistry HiveHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\PKWARE\PKZIPStores active license registration keyRestored via license registration commandWinZip AlternativeConfigured in STEP 7 OptionsAlternate supported compression toolRequires licensed commercial WinZip

Step-by-Step Procedure to Restore the PKZIP OEM License

To resolve the expired license warning and restore seamless archiving in PCS 7:

Locate the Siemens OEM License Key:
- Insert or mount the SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0 or STEP 7 V5.5 installation DVD (or USB drive).
- Browse to the directory: ...\09_STEP7__V5.5\Pkware\ (or search the installation media for pkware.ssf).
- Open the file pkware.ssf using Notepad or any standard text editor.
- Scroll to the bottom of the file to locate the line beginning with:
LICENSE_KEY=xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
- Copy the exact 20-character license key string.
Register the Key in PKZIP via Command Line:
- Open an elevated Windows Command Prompt (Run as Administrator).
- Navigate to the directory hosting pkzipc.exe (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\Step7\S7BIN\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\PKWARE\PKZIP\).
- Execute the registration command:
cmd pkzipc.exe -license="xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx"
- Confirm that the command reports that the enterprise license was accepted and registered.
Reinstall PKWARE via Silent Siemens Setup (If Registration Fails):
- If command line registration terminates unexpectedly, uninstall any standalone PKZIP entries via Windows Control Panel (Programs and Features).
- In the elevated Command Prompt, navigate to the ...\Pkware\ directory on the installation DVD.
- Run the silent installation script bundled by Siemens:
cmd setup.exe /s /v"/qn"
- This reinstalls the OEM version and automatically writes the validated license key to the Windows registry.
Reboot and Test SIMATIC Manager Archiving:
- Restart the engineering PC.
- Open SIMATIC Manager and test the archive function.

Verification

Verify archiving functionality:
1. In SIMATIC Manager, select a project or multiproject.
2. Click File -> Archive; select the archive destination on a local drive and click OK.
3. Verify that the compression progress bar opens immediately without displaying any license prompt or evaluation alert.
4. Test the archive integrity by selecting File -> Retrieve into a test folder; confirm that all files extract cleanly.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never Install Third-Party PKWARE Updates: Do not update PKZIP using auto-updaters from PKWARE; only use versions provided on the Siemens PCS 7 DVDs.
Trial License Cleanup: If temporary PCS 7 trial licenses are present in ALM, transfer them to a USB drive to prevent registry interference.
Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: The PKWARE license provided in pkware.ssf is an OEM entitlement granted strictly for use within SIMATIC STEP 7 / PCS 7.

Engineer FAQ

Does PKZIP require a license in Automation License Manager (ALM)?

No. PKZIP is a third-party commercial software licensed directly via OEM registry keys and does not appear in ALM.

Where is the Siemens PKZIP license key stored?

The key is stored in the installation media file 'pkware.ssf' located under the '...\09_STEP7__V5.5\Pkware\' directory.

Can I use WinZip instead of PKZIP in SIMATIC Manager?

Yes. In SIMATIC Manager, go to Options -> Customize -> Archive, and select WinZip as the default archiving utility (requires a valid WinZip installation).